INTERPROVINCIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1478, 17 June 1879, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

I Per " Timaru Herald " Special Wire.] Wellington, June 16. Sixty members of the Armed Constabulary left for New Plymouth by the s.a. Stella this evening. Christohurch, June 16. A correspondent writes to the Star this evening as follows .• — " Sir, — The following is a statement made by one of the men returned from Waipara. Mr Dunn stated that he would put six men on to see what stuff they could bring out, so as to regulate the work thereby. They started work on theso conditions, but it was not done. He distinctly says that the men cannot earn more than two to four shillings per day." One of the scamps who use the unemployed cry as a means of swindling goodnatured people, was exposed m the Court this morning. A man named Stephen South was brought up on a charge of stealing a pair of boots, valued at 4a, from one Richard Smith. Evidence was taken showing that the two men had been drinking together at prosecutor's expense, and tho latter missed the boots. At this stage Mr Thomas, a solicitor, who happened to be m Court, got up and requested to be allowed to speak. He then said that on Thursday last the prosecutor m this case came to him with a recommendation from the Committee of the unemployed, and stated that he had been ill for a considerable time and was m want. Ho was m debt a fortnight for his rent, and his landlord, who had treated him kindly previously, now wanted his money. He further stated that he had a wife and family, and that he expected to get employment m a fortnight's time. He (Mr Thomas), believing Smith's statement, and that it was a hard and deserving case, gave him LI cash to pay his rent, an order on Mr L.me for LI worth of meat, and also a similar order on a grocer for groceries, to meet tho applicant's requirements tilt he got work. He had been listening to this case, and was simply horriGed at the evidence givon by the prosecutor as to his shouting drinks for his friends two days after receiving the money and orders, and just after recovering from a long illness. He (Mr Thomos) thought he had a right to make a statement, when the man had gone round begging and spent the money received m the way he did. His "Worship (to Smith) — "All I can say is, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. I am afraid it is one of a good many cases of a similar character. I could mention a case which came under my own observation this morning. You can find plenty of money to spend on drink." Mr Joyce hoped that after that the police would withdraw the- case against South, and it was dismissed. Mr Thomas : " I would not have mentioned a word about it if it had not been for what I have heard now." His Worship said cases like this prevented a good many deserving persons from receiving relief. There were so many cases of gross imposition, m which people got charitable aid when they ought not to get relief at all, and this was one of them. The accused would be discharged, as the case was a trivial one. His Worship then stated that a man whom he had previously put m the way of obtaining work came to him again that morning for assistance, and stated that he had not taken the work offered because he was told he could only earn 3s 6d a day. Some window-curtains m a boardinghouse m High street caught fire last night, but were seen by a constable m time to prevent much damage being done. The landholders m the Ellesmere district are indignant at the high valuation put on their property by the Land Tax Valuer. A public meeting was held at Leeston to-day to protest against the valuation. Instances were given of alleged miavaluations, and a resolution was unanimously carried to the effect, " That m the opinion of this meeting the Valuer appointed by Government having displayed such gross incompetency, and m almost every case made his valuation so excessive for the purpose of the Government Land Tax Act, another valuation of the Ellesmere Road Board district should be made. " Emma and Martin Ash win, charged with Betting fire to a sawmill at Decanter Bay, Banks Peninsula, on February 19th , were committed for trial at the Akaroa Resident Magistrate's Court to-day. Bail was allowed. One of the witnesses swore to having got up about 10 o'clock that night and watched the accused set fire to the place, which had been on fire the same afternoon and saved. Dcnedin, June 16. Two informations under the Public Health Act for exposing for sale decayed fruit, were heard at the Police Court this morning. In the case against Mr AleQuid, medical evidence was called for the prosecntion and the defence. As the evidence as to the degree of putrefaction was rather conflicting, this information was dismissed. A similar charge against a Chinaman was next heard. In this case defendant had neither solicitor nor medical evidence to adduce m support of the wholeaomeness of his fruit, and lie was fined Is, which, with costs, amounted to LI. The prisoner John Moon, convicted at the last sessions of rape, underwent the second and last portion of his flogging m the large yard of the gaol at lea o'clock to-day. He appeared to feel the punishment severely, as lie howled with pain. Last night, between 11 and 12 o'clock, the residence of Mr McCarthy (of Keaat and McCarthy, brewers) situated m Scotland street, was completely destroyed by fixe. The house contained nine rooms, wrid'at .'the time of the fire wa* m the

occupation of Mrs McCarthy and a servant, Mr McCarthy being absent from home. The origin of the fire is not exactly known. The tire broke out m the Bittingroom at tlie back of the house, where a candle had been left burning, and it is presumed that the window cuitain m proximity became ignited. The efforts of the Brigade were speedily instrumental m saving from danger the adjoining house, occupied by Mr Anderson. The property had only been purchased a few weeks ago from Mr Anderson. The insurance on the building is for L4OO m the National and LIOO on the'furniture m the Colonial. Mr Anderson's furniture was all removed from his cottage, but returned again as soon as all danger nas over. Mrs Emma Hardinge Britten, the inspirationist lecturer, left for Invercargill this morning.